Single-origin is a descriptive term referring to a coffee or cacao varietal with a single known geographical origin. Sometimes this is a single farm, or a specific collection of beans from a single country. The name of the coffee is then usually the place it was grown to whatever degree available. Single-origins are viewed by some as a way to get a specific taste, and some independent coffee shops have found that this gives them a way to add value over large chains.

Types of single-origin

Estate coffees are a specific type of single-origin coffee. They are generally grown on a single farm, which might range in size from a few acres to large plantations occupying many square miles, or a collection of farms which all process their coffee at the same mill.

Micro-lot coffees are another type of specific single-origin coffee from a single field on a farm, a small range of altitude, and specific day of harvest.

Single-origin chocolate

Unique flavors are readily apparent in chocolate made from single-origin beans, especially when the chocolate is made with a cocoa content of 70% or higher. A higher concentration of cocoa allows the chocolate eater to taste more of the bean. Single-origin chocolates have unique tasting notes, similar to those found in fine wines.

Amano Chocolate is a U.S. artisan chocolate manufacturer that creates chocolate from single-origin beans. Amano has won many awards nationally and internationally, including the "golden bean award" from the London Academy of Chocolate for the best bean-to-bar dark chocolate.

See Also
List of Bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturers